Prevalence and risk factors associated with chronic kidney disease in adults over 40 years: a population study from Central China.

AIM: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) poses a serious public health problem worldwide. Population-based studies determining the prevalence of this disease in China have been limited in several large developed cities. In the present study, a population-based screening study in Henan, a representative province in Central China, was conducted in order to quantify the prevalence of CKD and identify the associated risk factors for this disease in a population of developing areas of China.

METHODS: Residents (n = 4156) over 40 years old in four major cities of Henan Province were interviewed and their albuminuria, reduced renal function, haematuria and blood pressure were measured. Associations between age, components of metabolism syndrome and indicators of CKD were examined.

RESULTS: Among these subjects, the prevalence rates of albuminuria, haematuria and reduced renal function were 4.51%, 6.28% and 1.53%, respectively. Approximately 10.49% of the subjects had at least one indicator of kidney damage. The awareness rate of this disease in subjects with CKD was only 9.50%. Hypertension, diabetes and hyperuricaemia were three independent risk factors for CKD.

CONCLUSION: The high prevalence and low awareness of CKD in the studied population suggest that CKD is a severe public health problem in Central China. Effectively preventive and therapeutic interventions are needed.